Short Summary

Tennis -- and top-seeded Jimmy Connors of the United States had a straight sets win over fellow countryman Arthur Ashe in the finals of the U.

Description

Tennis -- and top-seeded Jimmy Connors of the United States had a straight sets win over fellow countryman Arthur Ashe in the finals of the U.S. Professional indoor Tennis Championship in Philadelphia. Thirty-five year-old Ashe -- seeded tenth -- had done well to beat number four seed Vias Gerulaitis in the semi-final. But he was no match for Connors on Sunday (28 January).

SYNOPSIS: Connors, serving at set point in the first set, met little serious resistance.

Ashe put up more of a fight in the second set, but the couldn't keep up with the pace. It was revenge for Connors at last, after losing to Ashe at Wimbledon in 1975.

At five-one down in the third and final set, Ashe was really feeling his age. After winning the first game, he lost six in a row.

So Connors took the match, the trophy and a cheque for first prize of forty thousand dollars. His victory reinforced his position at the top in world tennis, although he will face a serious challenge in the near future from the up and-coming John McEnroe. In these championships, McEnroe was knocked out by Roscoe Tanner in the quarter finals, but he is expected to do better next year.